Polly Wilson Williams

Polly Wilson Williams passed away on May 16 at Greenfield Assisted Living Facility in Oak Ridge.

She was born on March 9, 1923, in Sylva, N.C., the daughter of Luetta Buchanan Wilson and Thomas Oscar Wilson, both now deceased. She was named for her maternal grandmother, Cordelia Allen Buchanan, but when she was nine months old. her father started calling her “Polly.”

She was the sixth child in a family of eight, and she told wonderful stories of how her family worked hard to stay together after losing their father at a young age. Her hometown of Sylva, N.C. held a special place in her heart, and she enjoyed frequent visits there throughout her life.

She attended Western Carolina College in Cullowhee, N.C., and in February 1941, she was married to Claude C. “Red” Williams, from the nearby town of Bryson City, N.C. They moved to Oak Ridge in the early 1940s, where they lived until 1946.

In 1953, Polly and Red, along with their three children, Gloria, Bob, and Joe, returned to Oak Ridge and made it their permanent home. At that time, Red opened his insurance agency called Crum-Williams Insurance Agency to become shortly thereafter “Red” Williams Insurance Agency. Polly assisted her husband with his new business by answering his phone from home, and then started working as his assistant at the agency in 1963 until 1997.

Polly and Red joined First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge in 1954, and they stayed active there throughout their lives. Polly was a charter member of P.E.O. Chapter R, which began in 1964, and she cherished the many dear friends that she made through P.E.O.

During the 1970s, she enjoyed many trips to Europe with her husband, Red. She was a wonderful rose gardener and shared them with family, friends, and people throughout the community. She loved reading, needlepoint, and entertaining for large groups of friends. All of Polly’s family and friends raved about her famous homemade dinner rolls. Polly’s greatest characteristic, however, was the extraordinary devotion that she had for her family. Her remarkable spirit, exceptional strength, and incomparable grace will be her legacy to all who loved her.

In addition to her parents and loving husband of 57 years, she was predeceased by her brothers, Tom, Joe, Bill, and Lewis; sisters, Margaret and Lucille; and son-in-law, Jim Bryson.

Polly is survived by her daughter Gloria Bryson, of Oak Ridge; son Robert C. (Bob) Williams and wife Emily, of Powell; and son Joseph R. (Joe) Williams and wife Melanie, of Oak Ridge; and sister, Becky Wilson Davis of Knoxville, formerly of Waynesville, N.C. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Keith Bryson and wife Angela, of Knoxville; Polly Ladd and husband Jerry, of Kingston; Richard Williams, of Memphis; Brooks Williams and wife Tammy, of Powell; Whitney Stegall and husband Matt, of Knoxville; and Tyler Williams and wife Rachel, of Knoxville. She adored all of her 15 great-grandchildren, Bryson and Annie Kate Leinius, of Kingston; Jordan Williams, of Memphis; Braden, Carson, Foster, and Rayleigh Williams, of Powell; Spencer, Molly, and Will Stegall, of Knoxville; Ellie, John, and Henry Williams, of Knoxville; and step great-grandchildren Nathan and Alex Ladd, of Kingston. She was “Aunt Polly” to many nieces and nephews, and she leaves behind numerous dear friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Greenfield Assisted Living and Caris Healthcare for the loving care they extended to Polly during the last year.

Memorials in celebration of Polly’s life may be made to P.E.O. Chapter R, Program for Continuing Education, (PCE), c/o Mrs. Donald Tevault, 6916 Heatherbrook Drive, Knoxville, TN 37931.

The family received friends Saturday, May 18, from 12 to 1 p.m. in the parlor of the First United Methodist Church. A memorial service followed at 1 p.m. with Rev. Stella Roberts officiating and Jenny Caughman assisting.

Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements. An on-line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.